# US 2010/0165138 A1 · Modular motion camera > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0165138 A1 - Document ID: US20100165138A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/345,437 - Filed: 2008-12-29 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-29 - Assignees: Red.Com, Inc. - Inventors: James H. Jannard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100165138A1 ## CPC - H04N 23/51: Housings - G03B 17/02: Bodies - G03B 17/56: Accessories (carrying-cases A45C11/38) - G03B 19/00: Cameras (details G03B17/00) - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract Modular digital motion camera systems are disclosed. Individual modules may be removed from the system and replaced, such as to benefit from upgraded technology, while preserving the remaining modules in the system. The modules may be disassembled and reconstructed to convert the physical form of the camera, such as between ENG configurations, DSLR configurations and studio configurations. Universal lens mount modules are provided, to enable use of lens systems from a variety of commercial manufacturers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular motion camera, comprising: a sensor module, having a first interface; a power module, having a second and third interface; and a recording module, having a fourth and fifth interface; wherein the first interface is functionally engageable with any of the second and fourth interfaces. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A modular motion camera as in claim 1, wherein the third interface is functionally engageable with the fourth interface, and the second interface is functionally engageable with the fifth interface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A modular motion camera as in claim 1, wherein the power module includes a recording bus extending between the second and third interface, for transmitting motion picture image data through the power module. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A modular motion camera as in claim 1, wherein the recording module includes a power bus extending between the fourth and fifth interface, for transmitting power through the recording module. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A modular motion camera as in claim 1, further comprising an in/out module having a sixth and seventh interface; wherein the sixth interface is engageable with the first interface, and the seventh interface is engageable with the second interface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A modular motion camera as in claim 1, further comprising a lens mount module, releasably connectable to the sensor module. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A modular motion camera as in claim 1, further comprising a user interface module. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A modular motion camera as in claim 7, wherein the user interface module comprises an eighth interface, which is engageable with any of the third and fifth interface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A modular motion camera as in claim 7, wherein the user interface comprises a transceiver for wireless communication with the sensor module. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A modular motion camera as in claim 1, further comprising at least a second power module, the second power module having a ninth and tenth interface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A modular motion camera as in claim 10, wherein the second power module comprises a recording bus extending between the ninth and tenth interface, for transmitting motion picture image data through the second power module. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A modular motion camera as in claim 10, wherein the second power module comprises a control bus extending between the ninth and tenth interface, for transmitting control signals through the second power module. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A modular motion camera as in claim 1, further comprising a digital signal processor in the sensor module. ### Claim 14 A modular motion camera, comprising a sensor module having a first bus segment, a recording module having a second bus segment, and a power module having a third bus segment; each of the modules releasably connectable to any other of the modules; wherein every assembled configuration of the modules places the bus segments in communication with each other in a manner that permits functional electrical communication among each of the modules. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A modular motion camera as in claim 14, further comprising an in/out module having a fourth bus segment that is directly connectable with any of the other bus segments. ### Claim 16 A modular, convertible motion camera, comprising: a sensor module; a recording module; a power module; and a user interface module; wherein each module is directly or indirectly releasably connectable to the sensor module in a first construct to produce a motion camera having an ENG configuration, and each module may be disconnected and reassembled into a second construct having a DSLR configuration. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A modular, convertible motion camera as in claim 16, further comprising an in/out module. ### Claim 18 A modular, convertible motion camera, comprising: a sensor module; a recording module; a power module; and a user interface module; wherein each module is directly or indirectly releasably connectable to the sensor module in a first construct to produce a motion camera having an ENG configuration, and each module may be disconnected and reassembled into a second construct having a Studio configuration. ### Claim 19 A modular, convertible motion camera, comprising: a sensor module; a recording module; a power module; and a user interface module; wherein each module is directly or indirectly releasably connectable to the sensor module in a first construct to produce a motion camera having a Studio configuration, and each module may be disconnected and reassembled into a second construct having a DSLR configuration. ### Claim 20 A modular, multicomponent, convertible motion camera, comprising: a sensor module; a recording module; a power module; and a user interface module; wherein each module is directly or indirectly releasably connectable to the sensor module in a first construct to produce a motion camera having an ENG configuration, and each module may be disconnected and reassembled into a second construct having a DSLR configuration, and each module may be disconnected and reassembled into a third construct having a Studio configuration. ### Claim 21 A modular motion camera subassembly, comprising: a sensor module, having a sensor, DSP electronics, and a back focal distance of no more than about 16 mm; the sensor module configured for connection to an external recording module and an external power module. ### Claim 22 A modular motion camera system configured for operation with any of a plurality of lenses having different focal lengths, comprising: a sensor module, having an interface for removably receiving a lens mount module; and at least a first and a second lens mount module, removably connectable to the interface, each lens mount module having a different focal length. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A modular motion camera system as in claim 22, further comprising DSP electronics in the sensor module. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) A modular motion camera system as in claim 22, comprising a back focal distance of no more than about 16 mm. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) A modular motion camera system as in claim 22, wherein the sensor module further comprises an interface for removably receiving a functional module. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A modular motion camera system as in claim 25, wherein the functional module comprises a recording module. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) A modular motion camera system as in claim 25, wherein the functional module comprises a power module. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) A modular motion camera system as in claim 25, wherein the functional module comprises an in/out module.